I just want to send my congratulations again. I'm sure we all agree that to have someone who is deeply passionate to not just the sport, but representing it well is something that gives that sport something extra. At least to us fans it is. So enjoy SI, you'll rock it.
You've brought so much out with this blog. 3 years ago I was just a casual fan wanting to know more but unable to find that connection, and now I'm a diehard tennis tragic.
I hope to see you agin if you're ever back in Melbourne.

And if I made a fool, if I made a fool, if I made a fool On the road, there's always this And if I'm sewn into submission I can still come home to this Man. The world is weird. And sometimes, it can surprise you. I've been hired by SI.com as a contributing blogger. This post has been, oddl...

This is the first time in such a long time where I will be truly happy with whoever wins this. There has been so much talk about the young players not stepping up and the older ones not showing their experience, but here we have such a nice mix.
Vika, Pavs and Petko (I put Petko in this category because of the time it took her to develop considering her schooling and injuries) have really stepped it up and are showing what they are capable of doing.
Then the older players (it seems horrible saying old when they really are so young, but I guess in tennis years they're getting on) showing that they are still relevant and that they can still play. I feel bad that Dani played so well this tournament and only got a 4th round showing for it.
I've been hearing so much talk about how boring it will be while tennis is regrouping, but if this is the line up of tennis while it's regrouping, then it's ok by me.

News broke today that Dinara was pulling out of RG and taking an indefinite leave from the tour in order to let her back heal properly. Thanks to Christina, here's the full translation: Dinara Safina: “I don’t know when I’ll come back.” Former #1 ranked tennis player Dinara Safina spoke to S...

I will never understand the French crowds. I've never understood them while watching on streams. I didn't understand them when I sat in the stands at Rolland Garros watching them boo a player while I racked my brain for a reason, any reason, as to why they were booing. I never came up with one. And I know that not everyone there is booing, and that it generally is a section of the crowd (sometimes large and sometimes small), but it such a gutless response no matter who does it that I just shake my head.

Oh, France. Ye of banned burqas, a lazy workforce, and a history of military failure. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'll eat your baguettes, cheese, and pastries, but come on mes amis, sometimes you make it so damn easy. Your boy Gilles rolled his ankle today against some pasty, fro-haired, se...

It brought such a smile to my face when I read that presser. In a way I've always sympathized with Vika, being an emotional player in an emotional sport like tennis all while having to grow up on a court would not be easy for any player. And as frustrating it may have been to watch her implode and lose her head, I can't imagine what the frustration must have been like for her.
Whether sitting down to reflect on what she wasn't happy with was her own doing or prompted my family or her team, you can't really be receptive and implement change until you are ready to truly face the facts that you're unhappy with. So I'm happy that she has made the realisation that she wasn't happy and has acted on it. I hope it lasts, I'm not expecting it to be like this 100% of the time, but I'm glad she has taken the step forward she needed.

How badly fried is my brain right now? So bad that I've just named a blog post after an Avril Lavigne song. THAT IS BAD. That's two tournaments now where I have been present at a Victoria Azarenka trophy hoisting ceremony. Each time, my girl Masha had to stand there and stare off into th...

So Petko's blowing up. We all know this. Yesterday she got the Pete Bodo treatment. Now, I know what a lot of you are thinking, but surprisingly, no, he did not describe her as being "strong like a Munich beer wench." I know. I was shocked, too. It was actually a very nice, positive take ...

I agree with so much of what you've said here Curtis. Just like the entire game of tennis has changed during the last ten years (something else a lot of journalists seems to want to ignore) as has the way in which tennis news can be brought to the public. And it strikes me that having genuine fans of the sport, who happen to be bloggers, come to tournaments at their on will and spend the time actually writing about the matches they saw and admitting when they didn't see a match causes some form of nervousness from journalists. It's like an attitude that screams "we were here first, and who the hell are you to come and do our job?". But yes, they were there first, but the sport, and the reporting of it needs to evolve and grow and it's that closed minded dismissive nature of those tweets from Matt and Neil that struck me rude.
I for one read a mixture of blogs and established tennis websites, and I completely sympathize with what you as an Ana fan must go through. There never seems to be anything new. It was always, her ball toss stunk, her attitude was negative blah blah blah. Sure her toss may have been bad, but is that all they can say on the match? As a Dinara fan, I'm glad for blogs such as these otherwise I could have just resigned myself to the fact that maybe she's a fat, useless, mental midget of a tennis player or so I have read consistently over the last 2 years.
Keep up the good work Courtney! Keep that typewriter going, because there are a lot of people who appreciate the different perspective you give.

So Petko's blowing up. We all know this. Yesterday she got the Pete Bodo treatment. Now, I know what a lot of you are thinking, but surprisingly, no, he did not describe her as being "strong like a Munich beer wench." I know. I was shocked, too. It was actually a very nice, positive take ...

No it's not a synonym. Yet what one finds offensive and irreverent is somewhat subjective. So what I'm saying is that sure you might find something insulting, but it seems to me that most readers seem not to. And, I've met C Note, and have spoken "irreverently" with her. I know sarcasm isn't everybody's flavour, but I found nothing rude or offensive in these conversations.
And in response to the great interviews. Do you see a correlation between winning the slam and the ability to interview Fran? I don't know about you, but I never saw her being ranked high enough to even take part in all access hour before she won a slam. The slam gave the media access to a player who quite frankly was never really high up on the list to be asked to be interviewed before her big win. You can only write about the great interviews when they actually occur.

Petko and Frank practiced together yesterday. Afterwards, Petko introduced Fran to her boyfriend, Phillip. He. Is. Adorable. Chitty, Chatty, Laughy. All in a day's work. And yes, Tatiana Garbin is still working with Frank. She rocks her aviators. (Pics: Forty Deuce)

Petko and Frank practiced together yesterday. Afterwards, Petko introduced Fran to her boyfriend, Phillip. He. Is. Adorable. Chitty, Chatty, Laughy. All in a day's work. And yes, Tatiana Garbin is still working with Frank. She rocks her aviators. (Pics: Forty Deuce)

I have heard so many times during this week that Dinara is back. And every time I hear is still, I just want to point to this match. I don't want to take anything away from the big improvements she has made, by far I haven't seen her hit this well in a long long time and it truly is great to see but this match just showed how far away she really is from being "back".
But damn Maria, that was amazing hitting. I can't remember the last time I saw Maria hit that cleanly and it really was wonderful to see. I've missed seeing her hit the ball like that

Like whoa, Masha. I'll admit that I thought Masha would prevail over Dinara but not as decisively as 62 60. That was a hitting clinic is what that was. Clean, aggressive, powerful hitting from the Shriekster that, serve aside, was reminiscent of the way she hit the ball on her way to her 20...

Oh Sam =( Watching the match it wasn't only the blatantly obvious lack of effectiveness on her serve and forehand, but for me was her frustration. When watching her deal with her own bad play in the past, I would see her get angry, you know, yell at herself or hit her leg and she would work through it. I felt during the match that the more frustrated she got the more she couldn't get out of her own way. I'm sure the serve didn't help the frustration levels at all though.
I get the feeling that Dave will have more than a few choice words to say (said in his ridiculously smooth voice of course ; ) ). But I think that things will come around by clay. It's where she's comfortable and a lot of others aren't. Hoping it gives her an automatic confidence boost.
Ah hope, there's that word again

It's fun being a tennis fan. It's even more fun when you have a player, that ONE player in your stable that you absolutely adore. You see them walk out on the court and your smile broadens to face-breaking proportions. Everything they do is hilarious, adorable, awesome, and fantastic. "Loo...

When Franny smiles, you smile. It's just the natural order of things.
As for Sam, I hope they play together more often. But I'm hoping that it will help Sam chill out a little. I obviously didn't see her 2nd round match which sounded routine, but the last I saw her play was against JJ in Doha and she just looked stressed and frustrated and unable to snap out of it. I don't know if that was just a moment or a continuing thing but hoping the doubles help. And you know, with Fran being the partner it would put anyone in a good mood.

I just don't get it, Fran. When you're across the net from her you play like a god. When you're next to her you play like a goat. Not a GOAT. A goat. Why are you hell-bent on making Sam's life difficult, and in turn, my life impossible? Steph and I, independently of each other, decided t...

It's been a while, I know, but in case you haven't noticed it's been a little busy around these parts. But Victoria, Lexi, and I set aside a Saturday to talk tennis, Australia, Indian Wells, and Miami. Hope this wets your whistle for the coming weeks. Download FD Podcast #24: Darlinghurst ...

I'm so happy to see Jelena get this trophy. There has been so much fight and so much grit from her it is just remarkable. She's always talked about as the player that you hope she'll make that run, but I don't know if anyone was expecting it to be made.
As for Dinara, why she didn't pose like this with the trophy I'll never know http://plixi.com/p/82035330
Dork!!

Dear Mr. Sheen: This is what *actual* winning looks like. Much love to Jelena Dokic for capturing her first title since 2003, beating Fran, Bojangles, and Lucie. That's a super-high-quality run and one that should make everyone sit up and take notice. Watch her get drawn as Ana's first r...